A Sentiment

God knew what He was doing when He sent a gentle breeze and brought a lovely butterfly to set my heart at ease. The happiness of your friendship and the gentleness of your words have touched my life in special ways and now I feel assured. Thank you for your loyalty and for reading everyday. I only hope you find things to make a happy day.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Springtime and Salad

I was hungry for something yesterday...didn't know what. Then, after seeing an Applebee's commercial on TV, I knew what it was. Applebee's Oriental Chicken Salad. It's a salad that I order every time I go to Applebee's. I used to order the half size, but now I order the full size and take some home for a meal later on. The salad dressing makes the salad. It's a little sweet yet tart and just enough to coat each piece of lettuce and cabbage.So, after my trip to the library, I stopped at the grocery across the street. It was cold out and getting into the store was a pleasure. I was on a mission...and got a small cart then headed for the produce dept. To get to the produce dept. I passed by the floral dept. The manager was arranging a small bouquet of spring. She was using a shallow dish and filled it with some greenery and then some blue Japanese Iris. She looked so happy, doing her work. I stopped to talk to her and she said, "I'm so tired of winter...I thought I'd add a little spring to my dept. I know we've had a good winter, but I'm still tired of it."As I looked around, I saw bouquets of flowers everywhere...some in urns and some in the cooler. Tulips, jonquils, iris etc. all waiting for customers to either purchase or enjoy as I was doing. A breath of spring in the grocery store...a good thing.
I went on with my shopping and bought some cabbage, rice vinegar, slivered almonds, and a bag of frozen chicken tenders. I have all the ingredients and sometime soon I'll make the salad. Here's the recipe.

Oriental Dressing:
6 Tbsp. honey
3 Tbsp. Rice Vinegar 
1/2 c. Mayonnaise
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp. Sesame oil

Blend together all ingredients in a small bowl with a whisk or mixer. Refrigerate while you work on the salad.

Salad:
2 pieces of Crispy Chicken Strips (frozen or from the deli) or leftover grilled chicken (that is what I used)
Bagged salad with assorted lettuces, cabbage, and vegetables
Bagged broccoli slaw 
1 Tbsp. sliced almonds, toasted
1/4 c. fried won ton strips (optional- we opted to not use them)
1/4 cup mandarin slices, drained well

Directions:
Bake the chicken strips according to the package directions (if you bought frozen ones) or reheat grilled chicken. Cut up the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Mix together a large handful of the lettuce salad and the broccoli slaw. Top with cut up chicken, almonds, won tons and madarin slices. Drizzle the dressing on top. Serve immediately. 

I will put some chow mein noodles on top instead of won ton strips. I don't think that they put the broccoli slaw in at the restaurant, but I think it's a good idea. I have all the ingredients in the house and now I can make it. 
Springtime and a salad...what a great combination. It sounds kind of untimely what with the east coast bracing for a huge snowstorm. I am praying for all the bloggers in the storm's path.. good luck...hope you are all prepared.
Balisha

13 comments:

Sharon said...

The salad sounds delicious and fairly easy to make ~ I'm on a cabbage kick and looking for new ways to use it. The tulips are beautiful. You are right that we are in for a storm this weekend, so any touch of spring sounds good right now:)

Balisha said...

Hi Sharon,
I[ve read your blog for a long time. Found you at Ernestine's. Take care this weekend.
Balisha

Jan said...

I love salads so I'm definitely going to try this one. All the best, Jx

Donna said...

I've had that salad and it's really good! A bit of spring in the grocery store...sounds wonderful. I need some spring about now.

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

I like the sound of this salad. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

FlowerLady

Blondie's Journal said...

My husband also loves this salad and always orders it at Applebee's. Thanks so much for the recipe, I'm going to surprise him with it!

Our grocer also had tulips out and I was SO tempted!

XO,
Jane

Balisha said...

This is from a website that gives out favorite recipes from restaurants. It is the best recipe that I have tried to replicate the one at Applebee's.Not exact but close.
Balisha

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

This sounds good
and may make when one of the children visit...

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

I like that at Applebee's too and we plan to have 1/2 for a lunch.
The salad and flowers sound like a great idea. Ready for something pretty!

acorn hollow said...

the salad sounds wonderful I was just thinking before I come home to be snowed in I am going to get some fresh flowers.
come on spring.
Cathy

Sissy said...

I wasnt expecting all this snow, today! I looked out the window @3 and it was really piling up!
I love meat and salad and this dressing sounds so yummy!

debra @ homespun said...

The flowers are stunning and oh my does this salad dressing recipe look wonderful!

Margie's Musings said...

Sounds good!